Rockies decline option on four-time All-Star Morneau

DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Justin Morneau #33 of the Colorado Rockies bats against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on April 25, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Justin Morneau only played 49 games last season, hitting .310 with three homers and 15 RBI.

Justin Edmonds Getty Images

DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies declined a $9 million mutual option on Justin Morneau and bought out the first baseman for $750,000.

Morneau hit .310 with three homers and 15 RBI in an injured-plagued season that limited him to 49 games. He was out of the lineup for nearly four months with concussion symptoms after diving for a ground ball during a game in May.